Having just dashed from holiday parties and family feasts, we sure indulged to the bounteous foods and drinks since most of us cannot make it through a whole season of holiday without splurging a little. However, according to a study conducted by Dr. Shaista Malik, UCI Medical Center cardiologist, the spike of heart attacks was most prominent during those times of the year. It may not seem urgent until it hits close to you, but cardiovascular health is becoming an issue worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases or CVD refers to a class of ailments that affect the heart and the blood vessels connected to it. In the Philippines, Ischemic Heart Disease reached 84,120 or 14.5% of total deaths, which makes it as the leading cause of death in the Philippines. Second is cancer with 64,125 or 11.1%, followed by cerebrovascular diseases with 59,774 or 10.3%. This is according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority data released in 2019. With these alarming statistics, a Heart Month is truly necessary to promote awareness, prevention and proper management and care of heart especially those with heart ailments.
That being the case, our government exerted its full effort to raise awareness to people regarding this serious health problem by declaring the month of February of every year as the “Philippine Heart Month” pursuant to Proclamation No. 1096, signed on 9 January 1973. Its purpose is to dedicate resources and focus attention on the pressing issues of cardiac health and medical research for the population.
Since then, National Heart Month has been celebrated in the country often most notably by parties especially involved in promoting the importance of cardiovascular health. Which includes the Department of Health and the Philippine Heart Association in collaboration with the Heart Foundation of the Philippines.
February 14th may be the day of hearts, but every day of February is technically a day for the heart too. In other words, this is the month when cardiovascular health and its opponents are supposed to be at the forefront of public consciousness. Since February is just around the corner, let us not forget to take part in the Heart Month Celebration!
As promoted and constantly suggested ever since by the National Nutrition Council and other health experts, the first way to do it is through positive lifestyle changes and the most productive way to do it, is to just Do It! Which includes the following:
- Eating the right kinds of food
The food you eat and the amount of intake can affect other controllable factors. Choose nutrient-rich foods, or those that have vitamins, minerals and fiber, but are lower in calories. As much as possible choose a diversified diet composed of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, low fat dairy products, poultry, fish and legumes. Limit the intake of red meats and sweet, salty, fatty and oily foods.
The National Nutrition Council as well suggests following the 10 Kumainments in order to achieve a healthy heart, which are as follows:
- Kumainment #1 – eat a variety of foods every day to get all nutrients needed by the body
- Kumainment #3 – eat more fruits and vegetables to get the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber for the regulation of body processes
- Kumainment #8 – limit intake of salty, fried, fatty and sugar-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular diseases
- Kumainment #9 and #10 – observe healthy weight and proper lifestyle practices
- Managing stress
People under constant stress tends to over eat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Research has even shown that stress reaction in young adults can be a predictor of middle-age blood pressure risk.
- Monitoring health with healthcare providers
This applies even to those who think they are physically fit, since many undiagnosed health issues have not had any observable symptoms whatsoever. Things to monitor to stay healthy includes your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.
- Maintaining healthy weight
Good nutrition, calorie intake control and physical activity are the healthiest and safest ways to maintain a healthy weight. Obesity places you at risk for high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and insulin resistance – the very factors that heighten your risk for cardiovascular diseases.
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Alcohol can be toxic to the heart given that it can weaken the heart muscles and can predispose a person to arrhythmias (irregular heart beat pattern). Smokers have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) which could lead to heart attack because smoking causes decreased oxygen supply to the heart.
These guidelines could help in slowing down the progression of the disease and even prevent it from happening at all. However, individual health is just the beginning. Heart Month is supposed to be about ensuring that more people know what they can do to avoid CVDs. This is why to fully observe the Heart Month, we should help spread the word and get involved in the activities that promote cardiovascular health awareness for everyone.
Get on your social media accounts now and do your part to spread awareness! Who knows, the next heart you might end up saving in the process could be Your Valentine. (CMU BSND OJT Gemma Pearl Intia Gallasa)
